Toorak Uniting Church  Update  Pentecost 4

21 June 2015

Still thinking  Despondency
A friend recently asked me what is the difference between Depression, despair and despondency. After a little research I came up with the following information about despondency.

Despondency is experienced as low spirits from loss of hope or courage; a sense of dejection it can have an air of despair about it.

Despondency is a sad emotional state; much like depression but not depression. If you're in a state of despondency, you're feeling hopeless. Despondency is one of many emotional states that are not pleasant. It's a kind of extreme sadness. Stubbing your toe wouldn't trigger despondency, but the death of a family member or friend or relationship might. When people lose their jobs or experience failure, despondency can happen. Despondency can include not only sadness, but feelings of hopelessness. It's a terrible way to feel, and it's not easy to get over it.

Despondency  Acedia (the Latin equivalent)
Author Kathleen Norris in her book "Acedia and Me" believes it is a state of restlessness, of not living in the present and seeing the future as overwhelming not just laziness or listlessness: it is especially present in monasteries, due to the cutting off of distractions, but can invade any vocation where the labour is long, the rewards slow to appear, such as scientific research or long term marriages .

Quotes that sustain us in times of despondency:
"Courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear not absence of fear." ~ Mark Twain

"Measure yourself by your best moments, not by your worst. We are too prone to judge ourselves by our moments of despondency and depression."~ Robert Johnson

"Promise me youll always remember: Youre braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think." ~ A.A. Milne

"Life is not about waiting for the storms to pass... It's about learning how to dance in the rain." ~ Vivian Greene

"Trust yourself. You know more than you think you do." ~ Benjamin Spock

"What the caterpillar calls the end of the world, the master calls a butterfly." ~ Richard Bach

Meeting of the Congregation and Election of Elders Postponed
The meeting of the congregation, postponed from May 31, will be held on Sunday June 28 immediately after the 10.15 service.
The agenda will comprise: to elect elders and non-elder members of Church Council; to receive the annual report; to approve the financial statements for 2014. Doug Lee, Isobel Negri and Jenny Stewardson offer themselves for election as elders. Anna Field offers herself for election as a non-elder member of Church Council. The annual report and financial statements will be available from the rear of the church today or from the office on weekdays.

Time for Fellowship Lunch
The Time for Fellowship Lunch will be held on Monday, 29th June from 12noon in the Faichney Room. The topic for discussion will be My mother said.....
All welcome. No need to RSVP. Lenore N. & Jean A.

Accommodation needed
A young single woman who is a qualified teacher is looking for accommodation with a family or single woman in this area. If you know of someone who could help, please contact the office.

John Macrae Centre
are seeking a volunteer who plays Majong to help on a Tuesday afternoon from 1.45  3.00pm. If you can help please ring Katrina on 9829 0320 for more details.

Encounter - Engagement - Enhancement
Congregation Elders and Church Councillors Retreat on Saturday 1 August we will be holding a special one day workshop where we will explore our theme of Engagement. In the morning we will learn about the practices of Contemplation, Meditation, and Centring Prayer including a quiet pilgrimage around the grounds of our church.
In the afternoon it will be movie time, discussing a current film and its relevance surrounding the deeper issues in life. Everyone from our church community is invited to attend this inaugural event where we can engage with one another and celebrate the multi-faceted and vibrant community which is TUC.

Workshop from 10:00 to 3:30 with lunch provided at a reduced cost of $15. If you are only able to attend either the morning or the afternoon session you will be most welcome and encouraged to be a part of this new event. Please feel free to invite a friend from our wider community to see what TUC is all about. Engagement!

Funeral planning
Are you interested in lodging a funeral plan with the TUC Office? It can give as little information as the hymns that you would like sung, or be as detailed and elaborate as you like. If you would like to investigate the possibilities, please contact the office on 9829 0300 or email us: ToorakUC@bigpond.net.au

Tour of Duldig Studio, Museum and Garden  Malvern EastA tour of the fascinating and rare art collection of the Duldig family featuring sculpture and painting by Karl Duldig.
Tuesday, 23 June from 10.30am12noon, $20 per person. Followed by morning tea.

Wednesday,17 JunetoFriday,31 July

Power & Purpose Ceramic Exhibition  by the Stables Artist Co-operativeA group exhibition of ceramics by women experiencing mental illness. Each artist has been mentored by professional ceramic artist, Ann Ferguson.
Generously supported by Stonnington City Council, Toorak Uniting Church and Boroondara Community Outreach.
The Opening was on Wednesday, 17 June from 6pm  8pm.

Manse Gallery Café
The café is filled with light, warmth, flowers on the table and good food. Please call in for great coffee, hot soup or delicious cake. It has a wonderful atmosphere with outstanding meals and coffee. Why not meet up with friends or conduct your next meeting there? The Café now has EFTPOS  no need to remember to have cash.
For enquiries and (group) bookings contact Raz Psonis on 9829 0341 email: meetatmanse@gmail.comRaz and her team will make you very welcome. Hours: Mon-Fri 8:30am  3:30pm.

Gallery Contacts:

For all exhibition enquiries and bookings please telephone Lyndel Wischer on: 9829 0340 or email: uat@toorak.unitingchurch.org.au or visit the Kinross House page on the TUC website. You are also welcome to call in to the Kinross House Office which is normally attended 10 am  3 pm, Tuesday  Friday or by appointment.